Insertable arch support



I. REHLE .INSERTABLE ARCH SUPPORT I Nov. 6, 192a. 1 3

Filed Dec. 22, 1926 Patented Nov. 6, I 1928.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

INSERTABLE ARCH SUPPORT.

Application filed December 22, 1926, Serial No. 156,310, and in This invention relates to arch supports of the type in which there is employed a plate curved in a longitudinal direction and provided with a side plate whereb the arch of the foot is elastically supported.

In carrying out my invention I reenforee the middle portion of the plate, that is, the portion which comes directly beneath the instep, whereby this portion which is subject to the maximum depression under load is made more resistant than other portions of the plate. Thus, this portion will not be completely flattened and is at all times capa ble of exerting a corrective effect upon a foot the arch of which has become flattened by disease or overstrain.

The plate in addition to the reenforcing means above referred to is provided with a transverse plate which is inclined upwardly toward the side flap and is resilient so that it is depressed under comparatively light load. To give the desired resistance to the movement of said transverse plate there is provided a curved spring between the main plate and said transverse plate. a

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, and

F igs.2 and 3 are sections onthe lines-b and 0(Z respectively of Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows A and B respectively. I

The arch support includes a main plate a of sheet metal, preferably enclosed in a leather covering or envelope m, the outline of which is indicated indot and dash lines in Fig. 1. The plate has the usual side flap Z) and is curved in a longitudinal direction except that the middle portion a which is sit.- uated underneath the instep is substantially fiat. In order to resist bending of this middle portion a there are provided transverse ribs d pressed into the metal and preferably extending downwardly. These are transversely disposed at the forward and rear edges of the intermediate portion and stiffen it so that it doesnot bend under maximum load.

Over this middle portion a there is a supporting plate 6 secured in place in any suitable manner, as for instance by a rivet 9 adjacent to the edge of the plate opposite to the flap b. The plate e is inclined upwardly to- Germany February 23, 1926.

ward the upper edge of the flap and is supported by a curved spring 7". One end of this spring maybe held between the two plates by the rivet g. The free end of the spring curves downwardly and bears on the supporting plate 4: adjacent to the base or lower edge of the flap b.

Under the action of the load of the body the inclined supporting plate 6 is lowered, and the spring flattened, until the two plates come into contact at the upper edge of the flap. Consequently the instep of the foot is resiliently supported strength of the spring f and the upper plate is positively supported by thefree edge of the flap when the spring has been compressed to the maximum extent.

The important feature of the invention is the provision of the reenforcing means where- I by the part of the plate a beneath the inclined plate 6 is prevented from bending under strain. The portions of the main plate a in advance of and in the rear of this middle portion, may bend, but the middle portion remains stiff.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

.1. An arch support including a main plate curved longitudinally and provided with a side flap and transversely extendingstiflening ribs at the front and rear edges ofthe middle portion of the plate, a transversely extending plate secured to said first mentioned plate above said middle portion, and a spring between said plates for yieidingly supporting said transversely extending plate.

, 2. An arch support including a main plate curved longitudinally and having an upwardly extending flange at one edge, a transverse plate secured to said first mentioned plate at the edge opposite to said. flange and having a free edge normally spaced above said flange, and a spring between said plates for yieldingly supporting said last mentioned edge of the second mentioned plate, but permitting the latter to be pressed down into engagement with said flange, said main plate having stiffening ribs extending transversely thereof adjacent to the front and rear edges of said second mentioned plate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

IGNAZ REHLE.

within the limits of the 

